Cushioned spring-hanger connection for automobile frames



Sept. 20,1927. 1,643,258 W. E. RICHTER CUSHIONED SPRING HANGER CONNECTION FOR AUTOMOBILE FRAMES Filed Aprily 12. 1924 `2 sheets-sneer i A TTORNEYS.

l sept. 2o, 1927.

W. E. RICHTER fCUSHINED SPRLING HANGER CONNECTION FOR AUTOMOBILE FRAMES 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fiied April 12. ,1.924

1 f l X IMIHIII'I /1 Iliff/1111,.-

INI/ENTOR.` ik /l'ch he r;

mBy/wew M49;

i ATTORNEYS.

l' WITNESS.' W PJM DEL.

Patented Sept. 20, 1927.

UNlTE'. STATES PATENT OFFIC.

WALTEH. E.

IPORATION,

RICHTER, F WAUWA'IOSA, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOB TO A. 0. SmTH COB- OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, A. CORIORATION 0F NEW YORK.

CUSHIONED SPRING-HANGER CONNECTION FOB. AUTOMOBILE FEMMES.

Application led April 12, 1924. Serial No. 706,035.

My invention relates to an improvement in the'construction of the spring hanger connections between the frame of an automobile and the supporting springs.

The purpose of the invention lis to provide an improved construction of spring hangers in which metaltometal connections are avoided, so as to obviate the necessity for the usual lubrication of such connections. In such improved construction, the consequent wearing away of the connected parts, which so frequently occurs in the absence of efficient lubrication, in the older metal constructions is eliminated. The durability of l5 the parts is consequently increased, and the discordant noises attendant upon the use of insufficiently lubricated metal connections are avoided. The improved connection is resilient in the degree required, and yet it possesses in the requisite degree such strength asl will enable it to withstand all of the strains and shocks to which the automobile in which it is incorporated as a structural feature may be subjected while in op- 95 eration.

JAnother purpose of the invention is to so construct yand arrange the parts that the superior sprung weight of the frame and the elements supported thereon will be restrained from a relative longitudinal movement upon the runningl gear or lower unsprung weight, when t e latter encounters adverse road conditions, whereby stability of the structure is maintained.

The details of my invention will now be pointed out and the novelty thereof will be set forth in the appended claims.

In the Vaccompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a view in elevation oi one end of a side bar of an automobile frame, showing the vsupporting spring and the manner of its attachment to the side bar, in accordj ance with my invention. i, V f Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of thealextreme end of the side bar, parts being broken out and others being sectioned so as to afford a clear understanding of the structure in volved.

Fig. 3 is t a vertical section on the broken line 3-3,Fig. 2, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing the complementary inner spring hanger.

Fig. 5 is a vertical section on the line 5 5,

Fi .'4, looking in the direction of the arrows. 1g. 6 is a plan view of a part of the forward end of an automobile frame, in which a tubular cross bar is employed for connecting the ends of the side bars of the frame together, and in which the spring hanger connection is otherwise the same as that shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is a view of the same arts in elevation, some of which are bro en outand others of which are in section, inD the interest of clearness. i

Fig. is a horizontal section "on the line` 8 8, Fig. 7, looking in the direction of the arrows, and showin the arrangement of the parts of Figs. 6 an 7 Figs. 9 and 10 are like horizontal sectionaly views, illustrating modifications in the manner of applying caps to the end of the tubular cross bar shown in Fig. 8.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 10 indicates an end portion of a channel side bar of an automobile frame the said side bar being provided at its end with a spring hanger 11 of peculiar formation, for receiving. the forward end of the supporting spring 12. The other end of the spring is received in a com lementa hanger 13 permanentl attache to the si ebar.

The side bar is provided at its end with an integrally formed recess 14, constituting the forward spring hanger, for the reception of a cushioning block 15, produced from any desired material which will be resilient in the degree desired, and at the same time possess the necessa powers of resistance to strains and shoc The circular form of the recess referred to is completed by the insertion of a plate 16 secured within the channel of the side bar and permanently attached thereto. In forming the side bar with the integral spring hanger at the end thereof, the sheet metal strip of which the side bar is formedfis drawn into shape of a channel by turning up the side margins thereof, a at the same time turning up the end marginff the strip so as to form a wall at the end of the channel, thereby producing the spring hanger as an integral part of the side bar.

The ends of the l,spring co-acting with the forward spring hanger are upset as at 17 and 17', the projections'thus formed extendin in opposite directions from the horizonte plane or the supporting spring.. d horizontal opening or slot 18 cut in the lower ange' of the side bar, leads to the recess 1d,and

through this opening the end of the spring may be passed laterally when the connectmn is made to the side bar. The block oftD resilient material may be formed or moulded about the dared end of the supporting spring, so as to embrace and insulate the latter on, all sides. Or, c'the supporting block may be formed in sections, one of which is4 provided with a recess into which the iiared end of the spring may be placed, anda cov- 17' so that the flared or enlarged end of they spring is held irmly within the recess let and can not be withdrawn therefrom lby any supported thereon with relation to the runv lar arrangement of erable one.`

ddii

longitudinal movement or the spring with relation to the side bar. This construction adords a very durable connection between the end of the springs and the frame sup ported thereon, andserves to prevent longitudinal movement of the'frame and parts ning gear of the automobile. '.lhe location of the spring with relation to the block 15 Vcannot therefore be disturbed, by reason of the engagement of the wider projections 1'? and 17 with the resilient material, and the narrow opening in the hanger. The vertical front' section of the Hared end of the spring thus presents a widened surface which bears against the resilient material, such widened surface being of such an area as to resist the tendency of the end of the spring to cut the resilient material when torce is applied, as by an end thrust upon the spring.l rllhe resilient material will yield slightly at such times, but its damage will be prevented. Likewise, if the wheels of the automobile encounter an obstruction, the forward movement of the frame with respect to the spring will be prevented by the widened surface upon the rear side of the said projection and the constrieted opening 18 in the hanger.

After the cushioning blockv and the spring have been located in the forward end of the side bar in the manner described, the en closure may be completed by a cap 21 ap. plied to the opening of the recess and held.

1n position by bolts 22 passing through( the Hangs of thesideJ bar and the said cap, as

-`. well as the cushioning material, the triang1'-1-v bolts shown being a pref! ln reducing my invention to practice-, ll proportion the parts .which have inst been described' so that relatively' longitudinal ageeaaee movement of the spring in the ront hanger is edectively resisted, and so maintain a normal state in the ixed connection between the superposed parts and the running gear of the automobile. lt occurs however, in the flexing of the supporting springs under the weight carried thereon, that such springs partake oi a variable elongation. Such elongation of the spring does not disturb the normally xed connection at the forward end of the spring, as has been described. But in connection with the rear or inner 'spring hanger, l provide a means which will permit such elon ation without injury to the resilient material used in making the connection at that point. An inner spring hanger 13, complementary to the forward spring hanger 11, is secured to the side bar at a point intermediate its ends, such spring' hanger being provided with a laterally opening circular recess similar to that shown in lliig. 2, lor the reception of a cushioning block 26. A shoe 27, is embedded 4in the latter so as to receive the rear end of the spring, and yet allow the slight longitudinal extension in the length thereof which occurs when the spring is flexed by a load, or by reason of the vibration incurred by encountering a road obstruction. The 'projecting end of one of the leaves of the spring =may be returned and made to embrace theend of the adjacent leaf, in the manner shown at 28, so that the end of the spring bears as a single element in the shoe 27. A disc 20l of resilient material is applied as before, and a cap 29 is secured by bolts 30 to complete the closure. 'llhe inner spring hanger 13 will be attached to the side bar in any suitaable manner,

As before stated, the provision of the widened end of the supporting spring 12 lill@ permits a rm connection to be made with i the outer end' of the side bar, and pre-v vents any relative longitudinal motion vof the parts, while the form of the connection employed at the rear end or the spring is such as to permit dering and elongation of the spring in the required degree `under all conditionsattending the use of the automobile. f

ln Figs. 6, 7 and'8 ll haveshown my improved connection as applied to a frame in whidh a tubular cross bar is employed to connect the side bars of the frame. The side bar 31 has attached thereto vin permanent manner, a head 32 which is vprovided with an opening extending laterally through the same, the 'said opening receiving the end of the cross bar 33. Both the head 32 and the end of the cross bar 33- are' laterally slotted as at 34: vfor the reception of the forward end or the spring 12.'l A plugtor stop 35 is set inside of the cross bar, and the head 32, tubularlcross bar 33, and block 35 are united by means of a pin 86 passed throughl the parts. The resilient, cushioning block `is set in the socket thus formed, and reclosure and retains the cushioning element in its proper position.

In Fig. 9, the cap 38 which completes the closure just escribed, may engage interiorly cut threads 1n the tubular cross bar 33, and in Fig. 10 the same element may engage interiorly cut threads in the head 32 ot the side bar, for the same purpose. I propose to embellish the faces of the caps and plugs by impressing thereon the initial or other insignia of the automobile in which the construction is embodied.

I find it advantageous to confine the resilient, cushioning blocks connectedl to the ends of the springs, and thus avoid any undue shifting or working of such blocks under the pressures generated in the operation of the automobile. This is conveniently done in the manner illustrated, as by forming the cushioning blocks of a size which will cause them to fit snugly in and completely'fill the recesses in the spring hangers. In such construction, a firm anchorage of the end of the spring with relation to the front spring hanger is effected, and relative longitudinal movement of the body upon the running gear is prevented. The recesses in the spring hangers may be of other contours than as shown, but in all of such constructions the shape of the cushioning block of resilient material will be changedto correspond, so that the latter will completely fill the recess, whatever may be its form. By anchoring the end of the spring in the manner described, and providing the widened or enlarged end thereof, the latter is restrained from relative movement in the said block, and consequently the latter is not damaged by end thrusts of the spring, as occurs in constructions not provi ed with the broadened bearing surfaces upon the spring.

In some constructions, wherein the supporting springs are substantially straight or but slightly curved, and their elongation is very slight, both ends of the spring may be formed and anchored in the manner illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, thus dispensing with the form of connection shown in Figs. 4 and 5.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and` desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. Means for connecting the sprung and unsprung weights in an automobile, such means comprising a supporting spring having an enlargement upon one end, va frame side `bar provided integrally with a spring hanger in the form of a slotted socket in which the said enlargement is entered bylateral movement of the spring, a cushioning block of resilient material filling the socket and enclosing the said enlargement to form a non-metallic connection, and a connection between the other end ol the spring and the sido bar.

2. Means for connecting the sprung and unsprung weights in an automobile, such means comprising a supporting spring having an enlargement upon one end, a frame side bar provided integrally with a spring hanger in the forni of a slotted socket in which the said enlargement is entered by lateral movement ot' the spring, a cushioning block of resilient material filling the socket and enclosing the said enlarge'. ment to form a non-metallic connection, and a second socketcd `spring hanger attached to the side bar and receiving a resilient cushioning block at the other end oi the spring.

3. Means for connecting the sprung and unsprung weights in an automobile. such means comprising a supporting spring having an enlargement upon one end, a

frame side bar provided integrally with a spring hanger in the form of a slotted socket in which the said enlargement is entered by lateral movement of the spring, the said slot being of less width than the said enlargement, a cushioning block of resilient material filling the Socket and enclosing the `said enlargement to form a non-metallic connection, and a connection between the other end of the spring and the side bar.

4. Means for connecting the sprung and unsprung weights in an automobile, such means comprising a supporting spring having an enlargement upon one end, a frame side bar provided integrally with a spring hanger in the form of a slotted' socket in which the said enlargement is entered by lateral movement of the spring, the said slot being of less width than the said enlargement` a cushioning block of resilient material filling the socket and enclosing the said enlargement to form a nonmetallic connection, and a second socketed spring hanger attached to the side bar and receiving a resilient cushioning block at the other end of the spring.

5. Means `for connecting the sprung and unsprung weights in an automobile, such means comprising a supporting spring provided with an anchoring enlargement upon one end, a frame side bar provided integrally with a spring hanger formed as a socket with a relatively 4narrow slot into which the spring is passed laterally to enter the said enlargement in the socket, and a cushioning block of resilient material filling the said socket and enclosing the enlarged end of the spring, to constitute a non-metallic llU connection between the spring and side bar and prevent relativelongitudinal movement of the parts so connected.

6. Meansn for connecting the sprung and` unsprung weights in an automobilegsuch means comprising aysupporting spring provided with an anchoring enlargement upon one end, a -t'rame side bar` provided integrally with a spring hanger formed as a socket with a relatively narrow slot into which the spring is passed laterally to enter the said enlargement in the socket, a cushioning block of resilient material filling the saidsocket and enclosing the enlarged end of 'the spring, to constitute. a non-metallic connection between the spring and side bar and prevent relative longitudinal movement of the parts so connected, anda second soclreted spring hanger attached to the side bar and receiving a resilient cushioning block at the other end ot' the spring. I

7. Means for connecting the sprung and unsprung weights in an automobile, such means comprising a supporting spring pro` vided with an anchoring enlargement upon one end, a frame side bar provided integrally with a spring hanger formed as a socket with a relatively narrow slot into which the spring is passed laterally to enter the said enlargement in the socket, a cushioning block of resilient material lling the said socket and enclosing the enlarged end of thev spring, to constitute a non-metallic connection between the spring and side bar and prevent relative longitudinal movement oit accenna the parts so connected, .and alsecond spring hanger attached to the side bar and sup.

porting a resilient cushioning block including a metallic shoe for" receiving the other end of the spring and permit elongation ofY the latter under vibrations incident to the operation of the automobile.

'8. Means for connecting the sprung and unsprung weights in an automobile, such means comprising a supporting spring having an enlargement upon one end, a frame side bar with -a lateral opening therethrough, a tubular cross bar disposed in the said opening and provided with a slot into which the spring may be passed laterally to enter the said enlargementA in the tube, and

weight for supporting a cushioning block ofresilient materiall` in fixed relation thereto,

and means attached to the unsprung Weight and engaging the said cushioning block to prevent longitudinal movement of the said weights with relation to each other.

ln testimony whereof, l have signed my name at Milwaukee, Wisconsin this 9th day oit April, 1924i..

.W1 E. RliCH'liER. 

